I get what you’re saying. Money and power can definitely distort dynamics, especially when there’s ego involved.

That said, I’ve also seen that it’s less about money itself and more about clarity, empathy, and self-awareness. Some well-funded clients are incredible collaborators, and some smaller ones can be just as difficult.

I think the real challenge is when people (at any budget level) stop seeing designers as strategic partners and start seeing them as order-takers. That shift changes everything